Veneers for walls, retaining walls, retaining wall blocks, and the like

ABSTRACT

Veneers for walls, retaining walls, retaining wall blocks, gabions, wire faces, and other structures are provided. Various methods of attaching the veneers are also described. A combination of a wall block and a veneer is provided. The wall block has a front face with a block connection space, and the veneer has a front face with a veneer connection portion. The veneer is attached to the front face of the wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed in the block connection space.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/144,228, filedJun. 23, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/945,457, filed Jun. 21, 2007, entitled “Veneers for Walls,Retaining Walls, Retaining Wall Blocks, and the Like”, the contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to veneers. In particular, the invention relatesto veneers for walls, retaining walls, retaining wall blocks, and thelike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retaining walls are used in various landscaping projects and areavailable in a wide variety of styles. Numerous methods and materialsexist for the construction of retaining walls. Such methods include theuse of natural stone, poured concrete, precast panels, masonry, andlandscape timbers or railroad ties.

A widely accepted method of construction of such walls is to dry stackconcrete wall units, or blocks. These blocks are popular because theyare mass produced and, consequently, relatively inexpensive. They arestructurally sound, easy and relatively inexpensive to install. Becausethey comprise concrete, they are durable. They can be given a desiredappearance, such as, for example, natural stone. Many block systems alsouse pins that are adapted to fit in corresponding pin holes in adjacentblocks or may use other mechanical means to contribute to the stabilityof a wall.

Typically, retaining wall blocks are manufactured to have the desiredappearance on the front face (i.e., the outer face of a wall) becauseonly the front is visible after the wall is constructed. It is highlydesirable to have the front face of the wall system have a natural stoneappearance, and many approaches are used in the art to treat or processconcrete to evoke the appearance of natural stone, including splittingthe block, tumbling the block to weather the face and edges of the face,and using processing or texturing equipment to impart a weathered lookto the concrete.

Depending upon their location, the soil type, the amount of water thatcan flow through the wall, and the mineral content of the water, anundesirable appearance can develop on the surface of a retaining wall.In addition, due to exposure to the elements and freeze/thaw cycles,concrete retaining walls may exhibit spalling, that is, chipping andcracking of concrete, which affects their appearance and can ultimatelyaffect their utility. Freeze-thaw effects are worsened when the wallface is exposed to salt spray, which commonly occurs on roadways wherede-icing salts are used to clear the road of ice and snow. Efflorescencerefers to the leaching of mineral salts from water and this often occurson walls in contact with water. The resultant deposit on a surfacecreates an unattractive white stained appearance on a wall.

There have been prior efforts to add a veneer to regular and segmentalretaining walls with natural stone or concrete that is pre-cast moldedto closely resemble natural stone. While such veneering producesaesthetically pleasing walls, it is a laborious and highly expensiveprocess, as it requires skilled masonry work to tie in the stone orconcrete veneer to the wall using traditional mortared masonryconstruction methods. Such veneering can double the cost of the finishedwall. In addition, segmental retaining walls are not rigid structuresand applying a rigid mortared veneer may cause cracking unlessappropriate steps are taken to provide slip joints that allow for suchmovement. Veneers for retaining walls are described in US 2005/0252144A1, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides veneers for walls, retaining walls, retainingwall blocks, gabions (basket structures), wire faces, and otherstructures. Various methods of attaching the veneers are also described.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block and aveneer. The wall block has a front face, the front face has a blockconnection space, the veneer has a front face, and the veneer has aveneer connection portion. The veneer is attached to the front face ofthe wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed inthe block connection space.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer,and a connector. The wall block has a front face, the front face has ablock connection space, the veneer has a front face, and the veneer hasa veneer connection space. The veneer is attached to the front face ofthe wall block by the connector, which is disposed in the blockconnection space and in the veneer connection space.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block and aveneer. The wall block has a front face and a top face, the top face hasa block connection space, the veneer has a front face, and the veneerhas a veneer connection portion. The veneer is disposed adjacent thefront face of the wall block and the veneer is attached to the top faceof the wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed inthe block connection space.

The invention provides a real stone veneer comprising a tray havingveneer connection portions. The real stone is attached to the tray withan adhesive, and the tray comprises holes that contain adhesive.

The invention provides a real stone veneer comprising a tray havingveneer connection portions. The real stone is attached to the tray withan adhesive, and the tray comprises wells that contain adhesive.

The invention provides a real stone veneer comprising a tray havingveneer connection portions. The real stone is attached to the tray withan adhesive, and the tray comprises a honeycomb structure that containsadhesive.

The invention provides walls comprising any of the combinationscomprising a wall block and a veneer that are described herein.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks and twoor more veneers. The wall blocks have front faces, the front faces haveblock connection spaces, the veneers have front faces, and the veneershave veneer connection portions. The veneers are attached to the frontfaces of the wall blocks by the veneer connection portions which aredisposed in the block connection spaces. The veneers have front faces ofat least two different sizes.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks and twoor more veneers. The wall blocks have front faces, the front faces haveblock connection spaces, the veneers have front faces, and the veneershave veneer connection portions. The veneers are attached to the frontfaces of the wall blocks by the veneer connection portions which aredisposed in the block connection spaces. The veneers have front faces ofat least two different colors.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks, two ormore veneers, and two or more connectors. The wall blocks have frontfaces, the front faces have block connection spaces, the veneers havefront faces, and the veneers have veneer connection spaces. The veneersare attached to the front faces of the wall blocks by the connectorswhich are disposed in the block connection spaces and the veneerconnection spaces. The veneers have front faces of at least twodifferent sizes.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks, two ormore veneers, and two or more connectors. The wall blocks have frontfaces, the front faces have block connection spaces, the veneers havefront faces, and the veneers have veneer connection spaces. The veneersare attached to the front faces of the wall blocks by the connectorswhich are disposed in the block connection spaces and the veneerconnection spaces. The veneers have front faces of at least twodifferent colors.

The invention provides a wall comprising two wall blocks and a veneer,the wall blocks having front faces, the front faces having blockconnection spaces, the veneer having a front face, the veneer having aveneer connection portion, the veneer being attached to the front facesof the wall blocks by the veneer connection portion, and the front faceof the veneer having a larger area than the combined area of the frontfaces of the two wall blocks.

The invention provides a combination comprising a first wall block, asecond wall block, and a tensile connector. Each wall block has a frontface and a rear face, and the front face and the rear face each having ablock connection space. The first wall block being connected to thesecond wall block by a tensile connector, which is disposed in the blockconnection spaces in the rear faces of the first and second blocks. Theinvention provides a wall comprising this combination.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall and two or morecast polymer veneers attached to the wall.

The invention provides a wall comprising wire face elements and veneersattached to the wire face elements.

The invention provides a wall comprising wire baskets and veneersattached to front faces of the wire baskets.

The invention provides a wall block having a front face, the front facecomprising two or more wall block connection spaces.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining wall block with a veneer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining wall.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining wall block with aveneer.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a retaining wall block with a veneer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a retaining wall block.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a veneer.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a veneer.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tray.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tray.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a real stone veneer and a retaining wallblock.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a veneer.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a veneer and a retaining wall block.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a veneer.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a retaining wall block.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a veneer and a retaining wall block.

FIGS. 16A to 16D are top views of different wall block connectionspaces.

FIG. 17 is a top view of a dovetail wall connection space and dovetailveneer connection portion.

FIG. 18 is a top view of a veneer connection portion and an anchoringportion.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a veneer connection portion andanchoring portions.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a veneer connection portion and anchoringportions.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a veneer connection portion and anchoringportions.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a veneer connection portion and ananchoring portion.

FIGS. 23A is a perspective view of a retaining wall block.

FIGS. 23B to 23D are top views of portions of a retaining wall block.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are side views of a portion of a retaining wall blockand a veneer.

FIG. 25 is a side view of a retaining wall block and a veneer.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a retaining wall block and a veneer.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a real stone veneer.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a real stone veneer.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of a retaining wall.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a connector.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a retaining wall block and a veneer.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a retaining wall block.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a wire face element.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional side view of a retaining wall.

FIG. 35A is a side view of a veneer and a wire face element.

FIG. 35B is a side close-up view of an attachment clip and a wire faceelement.

FIGS. 36A to 36D are side views of various attachment clips.

FIG. 36E is a side view of a portion of a veneer and an attachment clip.

FIG. 36F is a perspective view of an attachment clip.

FIG. 37A is a perspective view of a gabion.

FIG. 37B is a perspective view of a wall made of gabions.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are perspective views of a retaining wall block and abridge style veneer connection element.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are perspective views of a tray and a retaining wallblock.

FIG. 39C is a side view of a real stone veneer.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional side view of a tray and a real stoneveneer.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional side view of a well in a tray.

FIGS. 42A and 42B are perspective views of a veneer and a retaining wallblock.

FIG. 42C is a side view of a cast polymer veneer.

FIG. 43 is a front view of a siding veneer.

FIGS. 44A to 44C are cross-sectional views of veneer connection portionsthat can be snapped into place.

FIG. 45A is a front view of a veneer receiving tray.

FIG. 45B is a top view of the tray of FIG. 45A.

FIG. 45C is a cross-sectional view of the tray of FIG. 45A, taken alongthe line 45C shown in FIG. 45A.

FIG. 45D is a side view of the tray of FIG. 45A.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a wall.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a connector.

FIG. 48 is an elevation of a wall with veneer panels forming an ashlarpattern.

FIG. 49 is a diagram of veneers.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a wall assembly of retaining wallblocks.

FIG. 51 is a top view of a wall block and veneer.

FIG. 52 is a top view of wall blocks and connectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In this application, “wall” can refer to structures comprising naturalstone, poured concrete, precast panels, masonry, landscape timbers orrailroad ties, retaining wall blocks, and exterior and interior walls ofbuildings. Veneers are attached to the exposed surfaces of a wall.

In one embodiment of the invention, the veneers are used with retainingwalls, and in a preferred embodiment, the retaining walls compriseblocks. The retaining wall blocks can be made of a rugged, weatherresistant material, preferably (and typically) zero-slump moldedconcrete. Other suitable materials include polymers, composite materialswith reinforced fibers, wood, metal, stone, etc. The blocks may havevarious shapes and characteristics, as known in the art, and may bestacked one upon the other to provide a vertically straight wall, andalso may be stacked so that they are angled or set back from vertical.As known in the art, the blocks may be connected to each other by a pinattachment system, or the blocks may be provided with one or moreprotruding elements that interlock with one or more correspondingrecesses in an adjacent block. Blocks that can be used with the veneersof the invention are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/124,311, filed May 21, 2008, entitled “Wall Block and Wall BlockSystem for Constructing Walls”, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

“Upper” and “lower” refer to the placement of the block in a retainingwall. The lower, or bottom, surface is placed such that it faces theground. In a retaining wall, one row of blocks is laid down, forming acourse. An upper course is formed on top of this lower course bypositioning the lower surface of one block on the upper surface ofanother block.

Retaining walls may be straight (i.e., substantially linear, as well asvertically straight), curved (concave, convex, or serpentine) or mayhave sharp corners (i.e., 90 degree angles). Such walls can be angledfrom vertical. Reinforcing geogrid tie-backs or geosynthetic fabrics(also referred to generally as geogrids and geotextiles) may be usedwith retaining wall blocks.

The veneers are produced in dimensions that are convenient tomanufacture and handle. Convenient veneer sizes are about 4×12 inches(10×30 cm), 6×16 inches (15×41 cm), 8×18 inches (20.5 cm×45.7 cm), 16×48inches (40.6×121.9 cm), 32×48 inches (81.3×121.9 cm), 2 feet by 4 feet(61×122 cm), 4 feet by 8 feet (122×244 cm), and 2 feet by 8 feet (61×244cm). The larger veneers preferably are made of polymers, especiallypolymers including fiberglass, etc. The dimensions of the veneer mayvary from these stated dimensions in order to meet aesthetic orfunctional requirements of particular applications.

The back of the veneer is provided with an attachment means so that theveneer can be affixed to a wall or retaining wall block. If the veneeris made of plastic, a desired attachment means can be molded into thepanel when it is formed. The desired attachment means can be attached byadhesive or attached by mechanical means such as screws and bolts.Attachment means include hooks, brackets, connection joints, connectionchannels, and the like. Preferred attachment mechanisms are describedfurther below.

The invention provides several different embodiments using veneers,including those listed below.

(1) Pre-Cast Concrete Veneer Facing Attached to a Dry Cast ConcreteSupport Block

In one embodiment, a pre-cast concrete veneer facing is attached to adry cast concrete support block with a connection device. Connectionslots are molded into the block.

(2) Pre-Cast Concrete Veneer Facing Attached to a Wet Cast ConcreteSupport Block

In another embodiment, a pre-cast concrete veneer facing is attached toa wet cast concrete support block by integral cast.

(3) Real Stone Veneer Facing Attached to a Dry Cast Concrete SupportBlock

In another embodiment, a real stone veneer facing is attached to a drycast concrete block with a connection device. Connection slots aremolded into the block. Real stone veneers are typically constructed byattaching stones into a plastic support tray. The tray with the stonesthen becomes the real stone veneer.

Stone has good compression qualities but is weak in tension. The stoneis quite brittle by itself because it usually is thin in section tominimize the weight and cost of the stone. The plastic support tray actsas the tensile element. Once they are glued together, the stone andsupport tray from a “stressed skin” or diaphragm structure, where theycombine the compression and tension elements to form a strong structure.

(4) Real Stone Veneer Facing Attached to a Wet Cast Concrete SupportBlock

In one embodiment, a real stone veneer facing is attached to a wet castconcrete support block by integral cast.

(5) Polymer Veneer Facing Attached to a Dry Cast Concrete Support Block

In another embodiment, a polymer veneer is attached to a dry castconcrete support block with a connection device. Connection slots aremolded into the block. In one embodiment, the polymer veneer has theappearance of stone or rock.

(6) Polymer Veneer Facing Attached to a Wet Cast Concrete Support Block

In one embodiment, a polymer veneer facing is attached to a wet castconcrete support block by integral cast. In one embodiment, the polymerveneer has the appearance of stone or rock.

(7) Polymer Panels Attached to Wall of Retaining Wall Blocks

In one embodiment, polymer panels are attached to a wall made ofretaining wall blocks having non-textured smooth faces. The polymerpanels are attached with separate connection devices. The panels haveintegral connection attachment points or attachment devices. The polymerpanels are larger than the individual retaining wall blocks. In oneembodiment, the individual retaining wall blocks are aligned and thelarger veneers are slid into the retaining wall blocks. The veneers canalso vary in size in a single wall.

(8) Polymer Pieces used to Build Veneers on any Structure

In one embodiment, polymer pieces can be used as individual elements tobuild veneers on almost any interior or exterior structure.

(9) Exterior or Interior Siding Veneers

In one embodiment, exterior or interior siding veneers can be used onexterior or interior walls. The veneers could be tile, brick, stone,polymer made to look like stone, etc.

Additional embodiments are described herein.

The veneers of the invention can comprise a mineral aggregate infiberglass. This material is produced by mixing stone particles, sand,or mineral with resin, and pouring this mixture into a mold. Typically,particles of the type of stone that the veneer is meant to resemble areused in the resin mixture, and these particles provide the color for theveneer. For example, if the veneer is intended to resemble naturalgranite, then granite particles are used in the mix. If limestone is thedesired look, then fine particles of limestone may be used. Variouspowdered pigments may be added to the mix in order to create differentcolors or shades of color. The mold is configured to impart a surfacetexture to the material that resembles the texture of natural stone.After the mineral resin mix is added and spread across the mold, amixture of glass fibers and resin is added to the back side of theintended object in the mold. At this stage, structural components usedto attach the veneer to the surface that is being veneered may be added.Such components may be formed of pultruded fiberglass, and may beattached to the veneer during the curing process in order to create abond between the veneer and the structural component. After the resinhas cured, the front surface of the veneer preferably is sandblasted toremove resin from the surface, thus revealing a naturally-appearingmineral or stone surface. Alternatively, the front surface may bypolished in order to produce a polished stone look. Veneers of differentcolors can be combined to form an aesthetically pleasing wall.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block and aveneer. The wall block has a front face, the front face has a blockconnection space, the veneer has a front face, and the veneer has aveneer connection portion. The veneer is attached to the front face ofthe wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed inthe block connection space.

In an embodiment of the invention, the front face of the veneer is thesame size as the front face of the wall block. In another embodiment,the front face of the veneer is larger than the front face of the wallblock.

In an embodiment of the invention, the veneer has a top lip. The frontface of the veneer can be the same size as the front face of the wallblock or can be larger than the front face of the wall block. The veneercan have two side lips.

In an embodiment, the veneer connection portion and the block connectionspace form a dovetail connection.

In embodiments of the invention, the veneer can be a pre-cast concreteveneer and the wall block can be a dry cast concrete wall block or a wetcast concrete wall block. In embodiments of the invention, the veneer isa real stone veneer and the wall block can be a dry cast concrete wallblock or a wet cast concrete wall block.

In embodiments of the invention, the veneer is made of polymer and thewall block can be a dry cast concrete wall block or a wet cast concretewall block.

In an embodiment of the invention, the wall block has an open space. Inan embodiment, the wall block has a rear face, the rear face has a blockconnection space, and the combination of the wall block and the veneerfurther comprises a second veneer attached to the rear face of the wallblock.

In an embodiment, the veneer connection portions comprise friction fins.In an embodiment, the block connection space is in the shape of acylinder, trapezoidal column, hexagonal column, or keyhole-shapedcolumn. In an embodiment, the wall block comprises two or more wallblock connection spaces. In an embodiment, the wall block comprises twowall block connection spaces and in another embodiment, the wall blockcomprises three wall block connection spaces. In an embodiment, theveneer connection portion can be slid into the block connection space.In another embodiment, the veneer connection portion can be snapped intothe block connection space.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer,and a connector. The wall block has a front face, the front face has ablock connection space, the veneer has a front face, and the veneer hasa veneer connection space. The veneer is attached to the front face ofthe wall block by the connector, which is disposed in the blockconnection space and in the veneer connection space.

In an embodiment, the front face of the veneer is the same size as thefront face of the wall block, and in another embodiment the front faceof the veneer is larger than the front face of the wall block. In anembodiment, the block connection space and the veneer connection spaceare in the shape of a cylinder, trapezoidal column, hexagonal column, orkeyhole-shaped column. In an embodiment, the wall block has a rear face,the rear face has a block connection space, and the combination furthercomprises a second veneer attached to the rear face of the wall block.In an embodiment, the connector comprises friction fins.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block and aveneer. The wall block has a front face and a top face, the top face hasa block connection space, the veneer has a front face, and the veneerhas a veneer connection portion. The veneer is disposed adjacent thefront face of the wall block and the veneer is attached to the top faceof the wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed inthe block connection space. In an embodiment, the front face of theveneer is the same size as the front face of the wall block, and inanother embodiment, the front face of the veneer is larger than thefront face of the wall block.

The invention provides a real stone veneer comprising a tray havingveneer connection portions. The real stone is attached to the tray withan adhesive, and the tray comprises holes that contain adhesive. In anembodiment, the holes are tapered towards the real stone. In anembodiment, the holes are rivet-shaped having a narrower diameterportion and a wider diameter portion, and the narrower diameter portionof the rivet shape is adjacent to the real stone.

The invention provides a real stone veneer comprising a tray havingveneer connection portions. The real stone is attached to the tray withan adhesive, and the tray comprises wells that contain adhesive.

The invention provides a real stone veneer comprising a tray havingveneer connection portions. The real stone is attached to the tray withan adhesive, and the tray comprises a honeycomb structure that containsadhesive.

The invention provides walls comprising any of the combinationscomprising a wall block and a veneer that are described herein.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks and twoor more veneers. The wall blocks have front faces, the front faces haveblock connection spaces, the veneers have front faces, and the veneershave veneer connection portions. The veneers are attached to the frontfaces of the wall blocks by the veneer connection portions which aredisposed in the block connection spaces. The veneers have front faces ofat least two different sizes.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks and twoor more veneers. The wall blocks have front faces, the front faces haveblock connection spaces, the veneers have front faces, and the veneershave veneer connection portions. The veneers are attached to the frontfaces of the wall blocks by the veneer connection portions which aredisposed in the block connection spaces. The veneers have front faces ofat least two different colors.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks, two ormore veneers, and two or more connectors. The wall blocks have frontfaces, the front faces have block connection spaces, the veneers havefront faces, and the veneers have veneer connection spaces. The veneersare attached to the front faces of the wall blocks by the connectorswhich are disposed in the block connection spaces and the veneerconnection spaces. The veneers have front faces of at least twodifferent sizes.

The invention provides a wall comprising two or more wall blocks, two ormore veneers, and two or more connectors. The wall blocks have frontfaces, the front faces have block connection spaces, the veneers havefront faces, and the veneers have veneer connection spaces. The veneersare attached to the front faces of the wall blocks by the connectorswhich are disposed in the block connection spaces and the veneerconnection spaces. The veneers have front faces of at least twodifferent colors.

The invention provides a wall comprising two wall blocks and a veneer,the wall blocks having front faces, the front faces having blockconnection spaces, the veneer having a front face, the veneer having aveneer connection portion, the veneer being attached to the front facesof the wall blocks by the veneer connection portion, and the front faceof the veneer having a larger area than the combined area of the frontfaces of the two wall blocks.

The invention provides a combination comprising a first wall block, asecond wall block, and a tensile connector. Each wall block has a frontface and a rear face, and the front face and the rear face each having ablock connection space. The first wall block being connected to thesecond wall block by a tensile connector, which is disposed in the blockconnection spaces in the rear faces of the first and second blocks. Inan embodiment, veneers are attached to the front faces of the first andsecond blocks. The invention provides a wall comprising this combinationof a first wall block, a second wall block, and a tensile connector.

The invention provides a combination comprising a wall and two or morecast polymer veneers attached to the wall. In an embodiment, the veneersare attached to each other by tongue and groove.

The invention provides a wall comprising wire face elements and veneersattached to the wire face elements. In an embodiment, the front faces ofthe veneers are the same sizes as front faces of the wire face elements.In an embodiment, the wire face elements have front faces having adimension of at least 0.6×1.2 m.

The invention provides a wall comprising wire baskets and veneersattached to front faces of the wire baskets. In an embodiment, the wirebaskets contain rock. In an embodiment, the front faces of the veneersare the same sizes as front faces of the wire baskets. In an embodiment,the wire baskets have front faces having a dimension of at least 0.6×1.2m.

The invention provides a wall block having a front face, the front facecomprising two or more wall block connection spaces. In an embodiment,the front face comprises three or more wall block connection spaces.

Turning now to the Figures, the veneers of this invention are shown anddescribed.

FIG. 1 shows a retaining wall block 10 with a veneer 20. FIG. 1 is aperspective bottom view of the retaining wall block 10 with veneer 20.Veneer 20 has front face 25. Retaining wall block 10 has a connectionknob 30 and open space 40. Connection knob 30 can be replaced with aconnection pin. The connection pin can be made of plastic. Retainingwall block 10 has block connection spaces 60 and the veneer has veneerconnection portions 50. The block connection space 60 and veneerconnection portions 50 form a dovetail joint. Any appropriate connectionsystem can be used.

The retaining wall block 10 can be made of any appropriate material.Appropriate materials include wet cast concrete, dry cast concrete,plastic, etc. The wall block has a front face, a rear face, two sidefaces, and a top and bottom face. The veneer 20 can be made of anyappropriate material. The veneer has a front face, a rear face, two sidefaces, and a top and bottom face. Appropriate materials include apre-cast concrete veneer, polymer veneer, real stone veneer, etc. Theveneers can be sold already placed on the retaining wall blocks or addedas a wall is built.

FIG. 2 shows a retaining wall 100 built with the retaining wall block 10with veneer 20. The retaining wall 100 is built on leveling pad 110.FIG. 2 shows a retaining wall built of four courses of retaining wallblock, with a cap unit 120. Preferably, each course of retaining wallblocks is set back approximately 0.75 inch (1.9 cm) from the lowercourse. The set back could range from 1 to 10 degrees. The cap unit 120is not set back and has an overhang over the lower course. Connectionknobs 30 are inserted into a block on the lower course and help tomaintain the stability of the wall. Gravel 140 or other aggregatematerial is poured into the open spaces 40 before the cap unit 120 isplaced in the wall. A filter cloth or barrier 130 can be placed as shownbetween the soil 150 and the wall. A drainage zone 160 of gravel orother material can be placed behind the wall. Connection pins could beused in place of connection knobs 30.

FIGS. 3 to 6 show a retaining wall block 210 with a veneer 220. FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of the block 210 and veneer 220 and FIG. 4 isa bottom view of the block 210 and veneer 220. Veneer 220 has front face225. Retaining wall block 210 has a connection knob 230 and open space240. Connection knob 230 can be replaced with a connection pin. Theconnection pin can be made of plastic, pultruded fiberglass or othermaterials. Retaining wall block 210 has block connection spaces 260 andthe veneer has veneer connection portions 250. The block connectionspaces 260 and veneer connection portions 250 from dovetail joints. Anyappropriate connection system can be used. In this embodiment, theveneer connection portions 250 are connection clips made of polymer.

As shown in FIG. 3, the veneer 220 has a top lip 270 and this top lip270 is received into a recessed portion 280 of the wall block 210. Thetop lip 270 provides a three-dimensional stone appearance on the top ofthe block surface due to the greater depth of the top lip 270. Since thewall block 210 may be used to build a wall with a set-back, the top lipallows all exposed surfaces to have the look of a three-dimensionalstone. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the veneer 220 has side lips 300 andthese side lips 300 are received into recessed portions 310 of wallblock 210. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the wall block 210 has an indentedface 290 that receives the veneer 220. The veneer 220 can be added tothe block during manufacture of the block, immediately before using theblock, after the block has been placed in a wall, or at any otherappropriate time. Veneer 220 can be slid into wall connection spaces260. In addition to having a top lip 270, the veneer could also have abottom lip (not shown) that is received into a recessed portion (notshown) of wall block 210. The veneer would then be snapped in to theblock instead of slid into the block.

The retaining wall block 210 can be made of any appropriate material.Appropriate materials include wet cast concrete, dry cast concrete,plastic, etc. The veneer 220 can be made of any appropriate material.Appropriate materials include a pre-cast concrete veneer, polymerveneer, real stone veneer, etc. The block 210 and veneer 220 can be usedto build a retaining wall as described above in the description of FIG.2.

FIG. 7 shows a veneer 320 made of real stone. Veneer 320 has front face325 and veneer connection portions 350. Veneer connection portions 350are attached to tray 335. In FIG. 7 the stones 345 are shown offset fromthe tray 335. The stones 345 have not yet been attached to the tray 335.Real stones 345 are attached to the tray 335, using an appropriateadhesive. Appropriate adhesives include epoxy, polyurethane adhesives,methacrylate adhesives, etc. The real stones 345 preferably are 0.75inch (1.9 cm) to 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. The veneer 320 preferably hasfront faces with dimensions of 12 inches (30 cm) in width by 4 inches(10 cm) in height, 16 inches (41 cm) in width by 6 inches (15 cm) inheight, or 18 inches (46 cm) in width by 8 inches (20 cm) in height. Theveneer 320 is attached to a retaining wall block and used as describedherein. The veneer 320 can have a top lip or a top and bottom lip asdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 3 to 6. The lips preferably aremade of real stone. Natural stone is dense and generally heavy comparedto polymers or fiberglass. Due to this a thin profile of stone isdesired to minimize weight. A depth of 0.75 inch (1.9 cm) allows fordepth of joints and stone character and provides pleasing aesthetics.

FIG. 8 shows a tray 435 having veneer connection portions 450. The tray435 preferably is made of plastic. Tray 435 has holes 465 in the base455 of the tray. Slots could also be used in place of holes 465 or acombination of holes and slots could be used. The tray 435 is used tohold real stones and make a veneer similar to that described above inconnection with FIG. 7. The holes 465 help to strengthen the attachmentof the veneer to the tray because they allow adhesive to form a betterattachment to the tray than a tray with just a flat base. Instead ofholes, the tray could have wells to contain adhesive. The holes/slots465 can be tapered such that the set adhesive locks into the tray andcannot pull out in a forward direction toward the veneer.

Holes allow adhesive to seep through the tray. When the adhesive has setand hardened, the stone is attached to the adhesive and the adhesive ismechanically prohibited from pulling through the holes in the tray. Thisattachment is somewhat like a riveted connection. This is significantbecause most adhesives do not bond well to a polymer tray.

FIG. 9 shows a portion of a tray 535 similar to the tray of FIG. 8. Thetray 535 has a raised honeycomb structure 575 that acts as strength ribsto add greater support to the veneer tray. They can also serve a purposesimilar to the holes 465 of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows a real stone veneer620 having a top lip 670.

FIG. 11 shows a veneer 720 similar to the veneer of FIG. 6. Veneer 720has veneer connection portions 750, top lip 770, and side lips 800.Veneer 720 can be slid into the veneer connection portions of anappropriate wall block. For example, the block of FIGS. 3 to 5 can beused.

FIG. 12 shows a veneer 920 with a top lip 970 and a bottom lip 975.

FIG. 13 shows a veneer 1020 with veneer connection portions 1050 thatare meant to be snapped or pushed into openings in the block instead ofsliding in. Veneer connection portions 1050 have friction fins 1055 thathelp insure the veneer remains connected.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a retaining wall block 1110 with a veneer 1120. Theembodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to6 except that there are no side lips. Retaining wall block 1110 hasblock connection spaces 1160 and the veneer 1120 has veneer connectionportions (not shown). The veneer 1120 has top lip 1170 and this top lip1170 is received into a recessed portion 1180 of wall block 1110.

FIGS. 16A to 16D show a variety of different wall block connectionspaces. FIG. 16A shows dovetail wall block connection space 1260 a. FIG.16B shows round wall block connection space 1260 b. FIG. 16C showshexagonal wall block connection space 1260 c. FIG. 16D shows T-shapedwall block connection space 1260 d.

FIG. 17 shows dovetail wall connection space 1260 a and dovetail veneerconnection portion 1250 a. Veneer connection portion 1250 a is in theform of springing wings that are compressed in use to hold the veneerconnection portion in place. FIG. 17 also shows holding fins 1257 adisposed on anchoring portion 1258 a, which is attached to veneerconnection portion 1250 a. Holding fins 1257 a and anchoring portion1258 a are disposed within veneer 1220 a (not shown). Holding fins 1257a and anchoring portion 1258 a preferably are placed within veneer 1220a before the veneer is attached to the retaining wall block 1210 a. Forexample, a concrete or polymer veneer 1220 a can be formed around theholding fins 1257 a and anchoring portion 1258 a. Alternatively, holdingfins 1257 a could be friction fins and the holding fins 1257 a andanchoring portion 1258 a could be snapped into receiving portions in theveneer. All connection elements described in this application can havefrictional fins which collapse slightly as the object is inserted into avoid. The fins lock up with the surfaces.

FIG. 18 shows a round veneer connection portion 1350 and holding fins1357 disposed on anchoring portion 1358, which is attached to roundveneer connection portion 1350. Holding fins 1357 and anchoring portion1358 are disposed within veneer 1320 (not shown). The round veneerconnection portion 1350 has friction fins 1355. The veneer 1320 can beattached to the veneer connection portion 1350 as in the description ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows round veneer connection portion 1450 and holding fins 1457disposed in two anchoring portions 1458, which are attached to roundveneer connection portion 1450. Holding fins 1457 and anchoring portions1458 are disposed within veneer 1420 (not shown). The round veneerconnection portion 1450 has friction fins 1455. The veneer 1420 can beattached to the veneer connection portion 1450 as in the description ofFIG. 17.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show hexagonal veneer connection portions 1550 andholding fins 1557 disposed on anchoring portions 1558, which areattached to hexagonal veneer connection portion 1550. Holding fins 1557and anchoring portion 1558 are disposed within veneer 1520 (not shown).The hexagonal veneer connection portion has friction fins 1555. Theveneer 1520 can be attached to the veneer connection portion 1550 as inthe description of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 shows dovetail veneer connection portion 1650 and holding fins1657 disposed on anchoring portion 1658, which is attached to dovetailveneer connection portion 1650. Holding fins 1657 and anchoring portion1658 are disposed with veneer 1620 (not shown). The dovetail veneerconnection portion 1650 has friction fins 1655. The veneer 1620 can beattached to the veneer connection portion 1650 as in the description ofFIG. 17.

FIGS. 23A to 23D show retaining wall blocks or portions of retainingwall blocks with different wall block connection spaces. FIGS. 23A and23B show round wall block connection spaces 1760 a in retaining wallblock 1710 a. FIG. 23C shows dovetail wall block connection spaces 1760c in retaining wall block 1710 c. FIG. 23D shows T-shaped wall blockconnection spaces 1760 d in retaining wall block 1710 d.

FIG. 24A shows retaining wall block 1810 having conical wall blockconnection space 1860. FIG. 24B shows conical veneer connection portion1850 having interior open area 1851. Anchoring portion 1858 is attachedto conical veneer connection portion 1850. Anchoring portion 1858 isdisposed within veneer 1820. Conical veneer connection portion 1850 canbe placed into conical wall block connection space 1860. Conical wallblock connection space 1860 preferably is smaller than conical veneerconnection portion 1850 so that veneer connection portion 1850 will becompressed when placed in wall block connecting space 1860.

FIG. 25 shows a retaining wall block 1910 having wall block connectionspace 1960 and veneer 1920 having veneer connection portion 1950 and toplip 1970. The veneer is connected to the retaining wall block as shown.

FIG. 26 shows a retaining wall block 2010 having wall block connectionspaces 2060 and veneer 2020 having veneer connection portions 2050. Theveneer connection portions 2050 are placed into the wall blockconnection spaces 2060.

FIG. 27 shows a real stone veneer 2120 with triangular veneer connectionportions 2150. FIG. 28 shows a real stone veneer 2220 with veneerconnection portions 2250 in the form of loops. The veneers of FIGS. 27and 28 are intended to be used with a wet-cast poured block. The veneerconnection portions attach the veneer to the block by this imbeddedconnection.

FIG. 29 shows a retaining wall 2300 built with retaining wall block 2210having veneer 2220. The retaining wall 2300 is built on leveling pad2310. FIG. 29 shows a retaining wall built of three courses of retainingwall block, with a cap unit 2320. Preferably, each course of retainingwall blocks is set back approximately 0.75 inch (1.9 cm) from the lowercourse. The cap unit 2320 is not set back and has an overhang over thelower course. A drainage zone 2360 of gravel or other material can beplaced behind the wall. The veneer connection portions 2250 in the formof loops are disposed in the wall block connection spaces 2260 (notshown, but which are similar to wall block connection spaces 1760 a). Atop lip portion 2225 of the veneer 2220 extends above the top of theretaining wall block 2210.

FIG. 30 shows a connector 2450 having friction fins 2455. FIG. 31 showsa veneer 2420 attached to a retaining wall block 2410 using connectors2450. The connectors 2450 are disposed within wall block connectionspaces 2460 and veneer connection spaces 2451. The friction fins 2455are relatively pliable so they form a tight connection between the wallblock connection spaces and the veneer connection spaces, and can handlethe minor tolerance difference between the manufactured veneers andblocks.

FIG. 32 shows a retaining wall block 2510 having a front face 2512 and aback face 2514. Both the front face 2512 and back face 2514 have wallblock connection spaces 2560. Veneers can be attached to both the frontface 2512 and the back face 2514.

One option to build walls is to use welded wire faces tied to geogridsoil reinforcement. A filter fabric preferably is used to prevent soilfrom falling through the wire face. FIG. 33 shows a wire face element2610 having a diagonal brace 2615. The wire face element preferably hasa front face 2616 having dimension of 2×4 feet (0.6×1.2 m), 2×6 feet(0.6×1.8 m), or 2×8 feet (0.6×2.4 m), etc.

FIG. 34 shows a wall 2600 made using wire face elements 2610 and veneers2620 attached to wall 2600. A cap element 2625 is placed at the top ofthe wall 2600. Geogrid 2630 used for soil reinforcement and fabric 2640used to prevent soil from falling through the wire face elements 2610 isused as shown. FIG. 34 also shows soil 2670 and leveling pad 2660.

FIGS. 35A and 35B show a veneer 2620 with attachment clips 2650 that canbe attached to the front face 2616 of a wire face element 2610. FIG. 35Bshows a close-up view of an attachment clip 2650 and the front face2616.

FIGS. 36A to 36D show various attachment clips (2650 a, b, c, d) thatcould be used. The attachment clips shown in FIGS. 36A to 36C haveresistance to uplift due to wind. The attachment clip 2650 d in FIG. 36Ddoes not have resistance to uplift. The attachment clips preferably aremade of injection molded plastic, metal, or other elements. The clipspreferably can snap over the wire of the front face 2616. Therefore, theclip should flex slightly. The attachment clips 2650 can be attached tothe veneer 2620 with adhesive or the clip could have fastening studs2657 that are embedded into the veneer (see FIG. 36E). In oneembodiment, the studs 2657 are formed as part of the attachment clip2650 e and embedment takes place during formation of, e.g., a polymerveneer. A typical veneer has a minimum of four attachment clips. Theclip could also be provided with friction fins 2655 (see FIG. 36F). Thefriction fins would prevent rattling or fluttering of the veneer on thewire backing.

Gabions are wire frame baskets. Gabions allow the free flow of waterdown and out of a wall made of gabions. The gabions are transported to awork site as wire frames and are field assembled into baskets. Thebaskets are typically 2 to 3 feet (61 cm to 91 cm) wide by 2 to 3 feet(61 cm to 91 cm) deep by 8 to 9 feet (240 cm to 270 cm) long. Thebaskets are filled with rock at the site and the lid is closed and wiredshut. The gabions are then set into place end to end. The gabions can bestacked vertically in a pyramid or triangle shape to hold back theembankment. FIG. 37A shows a gabion 2700 having a lid 2710. FIG. 37Bshows a wall 2730 made of gabions 2700. The gabions do not have anaesthetically pleasing appearance and a veneer will improve theirappearance. Because gabions have a wire frame similar to the wire faceelements above, veneers can be attached to the gabions as describedherein.

FIGS. 38A and 38B show a veneer bridge connection piece 2859 havingdovetail veneer connection portions 2850 and anchoring portion 2858. Theanchoring portion 2858 can be embedded in a veneer 2820 (not shown). Forexample, a concrete or polymer veneer 2820 can be formed around theanchoring portion 2858 so that only the dovetail veneer connectionportions 2858 are exposed. In FIG. 38A the veneer connection piece 2859is shown placed in dovetail wall block connection spaces 2860 ofretaining wall block 2810. In use, the bridge connection piece 2859would be attached to a veneer before being attached to the retainingwall block 2810. The retaining wall block 2810 has a front face 2812 anda back face 2814. Veneers 2820 can be attached to both the front face2812 and the back face 2814. The retaining wall block 2810 has arecessed portion 2880 for the top lip 2870 of the veneer 2820 (notshown). The front face and the back face can have different dimensions.In one embodiment, the front face is 12 inches wide×4 inches tall (30 cmwide×10 cm tall) and the back face is 9⅜ inches wide by 4 inches tall(24 cm wide×10 cm tall).

FIGS. 39A and B show a tray 2958 having dovetail veneer connectionportions 2950. In FIG. 39A the tray 2958 is shown placed in dovetailwall block connection spaces 2960 of retaining wall block 2910. In use,the tray 2958 would contain real stone veneer 2920 as shown in FIG. 39C.

The retaining wall block 2910 has a front face 2912 and a back face2914. Veneers 2920 can be attached to both the front face 2912 and theback face 2914. The retaining wall block 2910 has a recessed portion2980 for the top lip 2970 of the tray 2958. The front face and the backface can have different dimensions. In one embodiment, the front face is12 inches wide×4 inches tall (30 cm wide×10 cm tall) and the back faceis 9⅜ inches wide by 4 inches tall (24 cm wide×10 cm tall).

In one preferred embodiment, the tray 2958 will have square holes 2962on the side of the tray 2958 facing the real stone veneer. These holeswill start at a narrow dimension (approximately 3/16× 3/16 inch squareholes, 0.19×0.19 cm square holes) then widen to a larger dimension(approximately ¼×¼ inch square holes, 0.10×0.10 cm square holes) as thevolume of the holes is a further distance from the real stone veneer.After adhesive is placed in these holes and dries, the dried adhesiveprovides a positive mechanical connection of the stone veneer 2920 tothe tray 2958. These portions of dried adhesive will act like many smallrivets with heads formed on the back side of the tray, and the portionof the dried adhesive with a larger dimension will resist being pulledthrough the narrower opening.

FIG. 40 shows an example of a tray 3058 having holes 3062 with a realstone veneer 3020. The holes 3062 widen to form a rivet-shape. Whenthese holes are filed with adhesive and the adhesive is allowed to dry,the dried, rivet-shaped adhesive is locked into the hole 3062 and isrestrained from pulling out of the hole. FIG. 41 shows a well 3162 in atray 3158. The well 3162 could be used in the same manner as the holes3062 in FIG. 40. The adhesive collects in the well 3162 and the driedadhesive is restrained from pulling out of the well 3162. FIGS. 42A andB show a cast polymer veneer 3220 having dovetail veneer connectionportions 3250. In FIG. 42A the veneer 3220 is shown placed in dovetailwall block connection spaces 3260 of retaining wall block 3210. FIG. 42Cshows a side view of the veneer 3220.

The retaining wall block 3210 has a front face 3212 and a back face3214. Veneers 3220 can be attached to both the front face 3212 and theback face 3214. The retaining wall block 3210 has a recessed portion3280 for the top lip 3270 of the veneer 3220. The front face and theback face can have different dimensions. In one embodiment, the frontface is 12 inches wide×4 inches tall (30×10 cm) and the back face is 9⅜inches wide by 4 inches tall (24×10 cm).

FIG. 43 shows an exterior use or interior use siding veneer 3320. Theveneer 3320 is a cast polymer veneer and has dimensions of 2×6 feet(0.6×1.8 m). The veneer 3320 has tongues 3322 and grooves 3324 to allowveneers to be attached to each other by tongue and groove. The veneer3320 can be attached to any type of wall. The veneers can be of anysize. Other preferred size include 1×4 feet (0.3×1.2 m), 2×4 feet(0.6×1.2 m), 2×6 feet (0.6×1.8 m), and 2×8 feet (0.6×2.4 m).

FIG. 44A shows a cast polymer veneer 3420 having veneer connectionportions 3450. In FIG. 44A the veneer 3420 is shown placed in wall blockconnection spaces 3460 of retaining wall block 3410. The veneerconnection portions 3450 can be snapped into place. FIG. 44B shows aveneer connection portion 3450 being snapped into place and FIG. 44Cshows the veneer connection portion 3450 after it has been snapped intoplace.

FIGS. 45A to 45D show a tray 3558 similar to the tray of FIGS. 39A and39B. Tray 3558 has dovetail veneer connection portions 3550. Thedovetail connection portions allow for positive connection even duringwearing of parts, i.e., change of connection tolerance. The tray 3558can be placed in dovetail wall block connection spaces 2960 of retainingwall block 2910, as shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B. In use, the tray 3558would contain real stone veneer 2920 as shown in FIG. 39C.

The retaining wall block 2910 has a front face 2912 and a back face2914. Veneers 2920 can be attached to both the front face 2912 and theback face 2914. The retaining wall block 2910 has a recessed portion2980 for the top lip 3570 of the tray 3558. The front face and the backface can have different dimensions. In one embodiment, the front face is12 inches wide×4 inches tall (30×10 cm) and the back face is 9⅜ incheswide by 4 inches tall (24×10 cm).

In one preferred embodiment, the tray 3558 will have slots 3561 havingrounded ends and circular holes 3562 on the side of the tray 3558 facingthe real stone veneer. These cylindrical holes will start at a narrowdimension (approximately 3/16 inch in diameter) then widen to a largerdimension (approximately ¼ inch in diameter) as the volume of the holesis a further distance from the real stone veneer. After adhesive isplaced in these holes and dries, the dried adhesive provides a positivemechanical connection of the stone veneer 2920 to the tray 3558. Theseportions of dried adhesive will act like many small rivets with headsformed on the back side of the tray, and the portion of the driedadhesive with a larger dimension will resist being pulled through thenarrower opening.

As shown in FIG. 45D, the dovetail veneer connection portions 3550 havea taper 3563, which assists in smooth connection to the dovetail wallblock connection spaces 2960 of retaining wall block 2910.

FIG. 46 shows a wall 4000 made of wall blocks 4010 having wall blockconnection spaces 4060. Veneers 4020 of varying sizes and having veneerconnection spaces 4062 are attached to the retaining wall blocks using aconnector 4075, shown in FIG. 47. The connector 4075 has friction fins4055 on each of its connection portions 4050. Preferably, the connector4075 is attached to the veneer 4020 at the worksite by placing aconnection portion 4050 of the connector 4075 into the veneer connectionspace 4062, and then the veneer 4020 is attached to the wall block 4010by placing the other connection portion 4050 of the connector 4075 intothe wall block connection space 4060. The veneer connection space 4062and the wall block connection space 4060 are in the shape of a keyhole.The advantage of this type of connector is that it has the ability topivot to an angle other than true perpendicular to the block and therebyallows the connector to fit to a veneer that may not align perfectlywith the block. The preferred angle of pivot is between 0 and 5 degreesfrom each side of true perpendicular. This arrangement allows the use ofa relatively rigid connector while still allowing for small variationsin the size of the block and veneer.

FIG. 48 shows a wall 4100 similar to the wall of FIG. 46 with varioussized veneer pieces all assembled together. FIG. 49 shows the varioussized veneers 4120 that are used in the wall 4100. The veneer labeled Ahas dimensions of 8 inches tall by 16 inches wide (20 cm by 41 cm); theveneer labeled B has dimensions of 4 inches tall by 16 inches wide (15cm by 41 cm); the veneer labeled C has dimensions of 8 inches tall by 8inches wide (20 cm by 20 cm); the veneer labeled D has dimensions of 4inches tall by 8 inches wide (15 cm×20 cm); and the veneer labeled E hasdimensions of 16 inches tall by 16 inches wide (41 cm×41 cm). Thevarious sized veneers each have connection spaces to receive a connectorsimilar to connector 4075. Veneers can have one to two or more connectorfastening points, depending on the veneer size.

FIG. 50 shows a wall 4200 made of wall blocks 4210 having wall blockconnection spaces 4260. A spacing tool 4285 is shown. The hand usespacing tool 4285 is used to align the connection spaces 4260 so that alarge veneer can be slid onto or snapped into the connection spaces4260. The spacing tool 4285 aligns the pin holes 4286. The pin holes4286 accept pins that align the wall blocks 4210. Veneers larger thanthe wall blocks 4210 can be attached to the wall 4200 by using thealigned connection spaces 4260. The veneers can be snapped into or slidinto the aligned connection spaces 4260.

FIG. 51 shows a wall block 4310 having wall block connection spaces4360. Veneers 4320, 4321 having veneer connection spaces 4362 areattached to the wall blocks using a connector 2450, shown in FIG. 30.The connector 2450 has friction fins 2455. Preferably, the connector2450 is attached to the veneers 4320, 4321 at the worksite by placing aportion of the connector 2450 into the veneer connection spaces 4362,and then the veneers 4320, 4321 are attached to the wall block 4310 byplacing the other portion of the connector 2450 into the wall blockconnection spaces 4360. As shown in FIG. 51, veneer 4320 has a widththat matches the front face 4311 of the wall block and veneer 4321 has awidth greater than the back face 4312 of the wall block. As the wall isbeing constructed, aggregate is poured into the wall cavities fordrainage purposes.

FIG. 52 shows two wall blocks 4410 having wall block connection spaces4460. Each wall block 4410 has a front face 4411 and a back face 4412.The back faces 4412 of the wall blocks are connected by tensileconnectors 4455. Veneers 4420 having veneer connection spaces 4462 areattached to the front faces 4411 of the wall blocks using a connector2450, shown in FIG. 30.

The connector 2450 has friction fins 2455. Preferably, the connector2450 is attached to the veneers 4420 at the worksite by placing aportion of the connector 2450 into the veneer connection spaces 4462,and then the veneers 4420 are attached to the wall blocks 4410 byplacing the other portion of the connector 2450 into the wall blockconnection spaces 4460 on the front faces 4411 of the wall blocks.

Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail,this has been done for purposes of illustration only, and is notintended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the followingappended claims. In particular, it is contemplated by the inventors thatvarious substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the claims. For instance, the choices of materials orvariations in shapes are believed to be a matter of routine for a personof ordinary skill in the art with knowledge of the embodiments disclosedherein.

1. A wall comprising two or more wall blocks and two or more veneers,each wall block having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed firstand second side surfaces and a front face, the front face having a blockconnection space, each veneer having opposed top and bottom surfaces,opposed first and second side surfaces and a front face, each veneerhaving a veneer connection portion which is shaped to interlock with theblock connection space to attach the veneer to the front face of one ormore wall blocks, the veneers being attached to the front faces of thewall blocks by the veneer connection portions which are disposed in theblock connection spaces, and wherein the veneers have front faces of atleast two different sizes.
 2. The wall of claim 1, wherein the frontface of at least one veneer is larger than the front face of any wallblock to which it is attached.
 3. The wall of claim 1, wherein the wallsblocks comprising the wall have front faces that are of the same size.4. The wall of claim 1, wherein the majority of the wall blockscomprising the wall have front faces that are of the same size.
 5. Thewall of claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent wall blocks have blockconnection spaces that connect to form a contiguous block connectionspace.
 6. The wall of claim 5, wherein the contiguous block connectionspace is oriented in a vertical direction so that a veneer connectionportion can slide in a vertical direction in the contiguous blockconnection space between the two adjacent blocks.
 7. The wall of claim1, wherein at least two veneers are attached to each other by tongue andgroove.
 8. The wall of claim 1, wherein at least one veneer has a toplip shaped to be received in a lower recessed portion of the top surfaceof a wall block.
 9. The wall combination of claim 1, wherein the veneerconnection portion and the block connection space form a dovetailconnection.
 10. The wall of claim 1, wherein at least one veneer is apre-cast concrete veneer.
 11. The wall of claim 1, wherein at least onewall block is a dry cast concrete wall block.
 12. The wall of claim 1,wherein at least one wall block is a wet cast concrete wall block. 13.The wall of claim 10, wherein at least one wall block is a dry castconcrete wall block.
 14. The wall of claim 10, wherein at least one wallblock is a wet cast concrete wall block.
 15. The wall of claim 1,wherein at least one veneer is a real stone veneer.
 16. The wall ofclaim 15, wherein at least one wall block is a dry cast concrete wallblock.
 17. The wall of claim 15, wherein at least one wall block is awet cast concrete wall block.
 18. The wall of claim 1, wherein at leastone veneer is made of polymer.
 19. The wall of claim 18, wherein atleast one wall block is a dry cast concrete wall block.
 20. The wall ofclaim 18, wherein at least one wall block is a wet cast concrete wallblock.
 21. The wall of claim 1, wherein at least one wall block has anopen space.
 22. The wall of claim 1, wherein at least one veneerconnection portion comprises friction fins.
 23. The wall of claim 1,wherein at least one block connection space is in the shape of acylinder, trapezoidal column, hexagonal column, or keyhole-shapedcolumn.
 24. The wall of claim 1, wherein at least one wall blockcomprises two or more wall block connection spaces.
 25. The wall ofclaim 24, wherein the at least one wall block comprises just two wallblock connection spaces.
 26. The wall of claim 24, wherein the wallblock comprises just three wall block connection spaces.
 27. The wall ofclaim 1, wherein at least one veneer connection portion can be slid intoat least one block connection space.
 28. The wall of claim 1, wherein atleast one veneer connection portion can be snapped into at least oneblock connection space.
 29. A wall comprising two or more wall blocks,two or more veneers, and two or more connectors, each wall block havingopposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed first and second side surfacesand a front face, the front face having a block connection space, eachveneer having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed first and secondside surfaces and a front face, each veneer having a veneer connectionspace, each connector being shaped to interlock with the blockconnection space and the veneer connection space to attach the veneer tothe front face of one or more wall blocks, the veneers being attached tothe front faces of the wall blocks by the connectors which are disposedin the block connection spaces and the veneer connection spaces, andwherein the veneers have front faces of at least two different sizes.30. The wall of claim 29, wherein the front face of at least one veneeris larger than the front face of any wall block to which it is attached.31. The wall of claim 29, wherein the walls blocks comprising the wallhave front faces that are of the same size.
 32. The wall of claim 29,wherein the majority of the wall blocks comprising the wall have frontfaces that are of the same size.
 33. The wall of claim 29, wherein atleast two adjacent wall blocks have block connection spaces that connectto form a contiguous block connection space.
 34. The wall of claim 33,wherein the contiguous block connection space is oriented in a verticaldirection so that a connector can slide in a vertical direction in thecontiguous block connection space between the two adjacent blocks. 35.The wall of claim 29, wherein at least two veneers are attached to eachother by tongue and groove.
 36. The wall of claim 29, wherein at leastone veneer has a top lip shaped to be received in a lower recessedportion of the top surface of a wall block.
 37. The wall combination ofclaim 29, wherein the connector and the block connection space form adovetail connection.
 38. The wall of claim 29, wherein at least oneveneer is a pre-cast concrete veneer.
 39. The wall of claim 29, whereinat least one wall block is a dry cast concrete wall block.
 40. The wallof claim 29, wherein at least one wall block is a wet cast concrete wallblock.
 41. The wall of claim 38, wherein at least one wall block is adry cast concrete wall block.
 42. The wall of claim 38, wherein at leastone wall block is a wet cast concrete wall block.
 43. The wall of claim29, wherein at least one veneer is a real stone veneer.
 44. The wall ofclaim 43, wherein at least one wall block is a dry cast concrete wallblock.
 45. The wall of claim 43, wherein at least one wall block is awet cast concrete wall block.
 46. The wall of claim 29, wherein at leastone veneer is made of polymer.
 47. The wall of claim 46, wherein atleast one wall block is a dry cast concrete wall block.
 48. The wall ofclaim 46, wherein at least one wall block is a wet cast concrete wallblock.
 49. The wall of claim 29, wherein at least one wall block has anopen space.
 50. The wall of claim 29, wherein at least one connectorcomprises friction fins.
 51. The wall of claim 29, wherein at least oneblock connection space is in the shape of a cylinder, trapezoidalcolumn, hexagonal column, or keyhole-shaped column.
 52. The wall ofclaim 29, wherein at least one veneer connection space is in the shapeof a cylinder, trapezoidal column, hexagonal column, or keyhole-shapedcolumn.
 53. The wall of claim 29, wherein at least one wall blockcomprises two or more wall block connection spaces.
 54. The wall ofclaim 53, wherein the at least one wall block comprises just two wallblock connection spaces.
 55. The wall of claim 53, wherein the wallblock comprises just three wall block connection spaces.
 56. The wall ofclaim 29, wherein at least one connector can be slid into at least oneblock connection space.
 57. The wall of claim 29, wherein at least oneveneer connection portion can be snapped into at least one blockconnection space.